Small Ruminant Containment in Protective Sheds

Secure Shelters, Thriving Flocks

Small Ruminant Containment in Protective Sheds is a technology that offers essential shelter to small ruminants like goats and sheep, benefiting both the animals and farmers. These cost-effective shelters, constructed from locally available materials, protect the livestock from predators, harsh weather conditions, and disease transmission to humans. These sheds are well-ventilated, properly drained, and equipped with feed and water troughs, contributing to improved animal health and productivity. Additionally, they play a vital role in waste management and biosecurity. Small Ruminant Containment in Protective Sheds is a valuable solution for small-scale farmers, enhancing animal well-being while remaining affordable and adaptable to different environments.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

7•6

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 7/9; level of use 6/9

Cost: $$$ 2,000 USD

Bulding construction

12,000 USD

Benefit in a year

IP

Open source / open access

Problem

Predator Attacks: Animals left in open fields or makeshift shelters are at risk from predators.
Theft: Livestock left unattended can be stolen.
Finding Food: Animals that aren’t properly confined have to roam a lot to find food.
Diseases: When animals live close to humans, there’s a risk of diseases spreading from animals to humans.
Bad Weather: Young animals need protection from bad weather.
Cost: Small-scale farmers often can’t afford to build good shelters.

Solution

Protection from Predators: These shelters provide a safe environment for small ruminants, protecting them from predators and theft, reducing losses.
Disease Control: By minimizing close cohabitation with humans and other animals, these sheds help reduce the risk of infectious diseases spreading from animals to humans.
Improved Feeding: The inclusion of feed and water troughs within the shelters ensures that animals have access to better nutrition and clean water, contributing to their health and productivity.
Weather Protection: Shelters offer protection from inclement weather, ensuring that animals are shielded from harsh conditions such as extreme heat or cold.
Waste Management: The design allows for efficient waste management by directing urine and feces away from the animals, maintaining a cleaner and healthier environment.
Biosecurity: Controlled environments within the sheds enhance biosecurity measures, reducing the risk of disease transmission.
Adaptability: Shelters can be constructed from locally available materials, making them accessible to small-scale farmers who might not afford elaborate structures.

Key points to design your business plan

For Breeders

To implement Small Ruminant Containment in Protective Sheds on the field, breeders will need the following:

Materials: Locally available materials such as timber, bamboo, or lumber off-cuts, along with wire and fencing.
Feed and Water Troughs: These may be wooden, metal or plastic, sometimes fed through automated devices.
Construction Knowledge: Understanding of how to build the shed ensuring it is well-drained, ventilated, and includes feed and water troughs.
Space Planning: Once weaned, kids and lambs are best kept separately from adults, requiring between 0.2 to 0.3 m2 for up to three to four months, increasing to 1.5 m2 or more over time.
Maintenance Skills: Regular checks and maintenance of the shed to ensure its functionality.
Cost: In villages with access to inexpensive materials like wooden posts and planks, and grass roofing, a suitable shed can be built for as low as US $200. More elaborate buildings can cost about US $2,000 (at $20 per m2).

These elements will help breeders successfully implement the technology on their fields. It's also recommended to seek guidance from local agricultural extension services and livestock management organizations.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive medium

Under 18: Positive medium

Women: Positive medium

Climate adaptability: Moderately adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Water use: Same amount of water used

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Burkina Faso	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Cameroon	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Mali	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Niger	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
South Sudan	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid		–		–
Humid	–	–	–	–

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

The steps for constructing Small Ruminant Containment Sheds are:

1. Floor Elevation: Raise the shed's floor to approximately 1 meter above the ground using wooden planks that are at least 2.5 cm thick.

2. Floor Gaps: Leave a 1 cm gap between the wooden planks to allow urine and feces to drop to the ground, ensuring a cleaner environment.

3. Alternative Flooring: Alternatively, you can use commercially available non-slip PVC flooring, which can be purchased online or from livestock accessory suppliers.

4. Side Walls: Construct side walls with brick or wood, reaching a height of 0.5 to 0.75 meters.

5. Upper Wall: Finish the upper part of the walls with wire mesh up to a height of 2.5 meters to provide ventilation.

6. Roofing: Use gable roofing made of corrugated sheets, which helps protect the animals from the elements.

7. Extended Eaves: Extend the eaves of the roof by 0.5 meters from the wall to provide shading and protection from rain splash.

8. Feeding Troughs: Create space for externally mounted feeding troughs within the shed.

9. Weather Covers: In cases of cold or inclement weather, you can attach nylon or tarpaulin covers to the eaves for additional protection.

10. Separate Sheds: If possible, design smaller, separate sheds to confine and isolate sick animals for better disease management.

Last updated on 2 October 2024